Deftones bassist Chi Cheng has been hospitalized following a serious car accident, according to a statement from Warner Bros. Records, and is reported to be in a coma.

The Sacramento Bee says Deftones singer Chino Moreno has confirmed the severity of the condition. "I don't know everything that's going on — I just know it's very serious," Moreno told the newspaper. "I'm on my way to be with his family, I'm pretty freaked out about it."

Monday's accident was confirmed by Warner Bros. in a statement widely distributed this morning. The label released a statement that said Cheng was in "serious but stable condition" and did not provide any other details.

Moreno has also posted a statement on the band's Web site, writing, "I am on my way up North right now to be by his side along with the rest of our band mates and family. Chi is one of the strongest people I know, and I'm praying that his strength will get him through this."

The hard rock act had been working on its upcoming album, "Eros," which has been talked about for an early 2009 release. The act's 2006 album, "Saturday Night Wrist," debuted at No. 10 on the U.S. pop charts when it was released.

— Todd Martens

Photo: Chino Moreno, left, Frank Delgado, Abe Cunningham, Stephen Carpenter and Chi Cheng. Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times